The Kings Head

Description

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Medieval Pub with Free Live Music, Irish Whiskey Bar, Cracking Cocktails, Bar Food & newly opened Bistro in the heart of Galway's Latin Quarter. The Kings Head Pub is located on High Street in the heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter. This landmark pub has earned a fantastic reputation for live music and comedy, good honest hearty food and great craic over three floors. Owned and managed by the Grealish family for over 20 years, The Kings Head now adjoins the award-winning Malt House Restaurant.

The Kings Head Pub is located on High Street in the heart of Galway’s Latin Quarter. This landmark pub has earned a fantastic reputation for live music and comedy, good honest hearty food and great craic over three floors. Owned and managed by the Grealish family for over 20 years, The Kings Head now adjoins the award-winning Malt House Restaurant.

The Kings Head dates back over 800 years with research showing the building in existence since the 13th century. Speed’s famous map of Galway – drawn in 1651 – shows 15 High Street as one of the tallest and most prominent buildings in the town with the impressive Bank’s Castle adjoining it to the rear.

The building has several links to the 14 Tribes of Galway; above the two fireplaces you’ll find marriage stones from the Martin, Bodkin and Lynch families.

The Kings Head, however, is forever linked to the Lynch tribe given that the building was the home of the Mayor of Galway, Thomas Lynch Fitz-Ambrose in 1654.

Following the execution of the King of England Charles I on 3rd Jan 1649, Cromwell’s army came to Ireland to assert their authority. Lead by one of Cromwell’s most loyal and trusted henchmen, Col. Peter Stubbers, they laid siege to Galway.

After Galway’s surrender in April 1653, Stubbers became the town’s military Governor and when the Mayor and Corporation objected to the outrages being perpetrated on the citizens of Galway they were forcibly removed from office in 1654. To add insult to injury Stubbers not only replaced Lynch Fitz-Ambrose as Mayor but also seized his splendid house in High Street, now home to The Kings Head Pub.

When Richard Brandon, Executioner for the City of London refused involvement in the execution, emissaries were sent to Ireland, Scotland and Wales in search of a volunteer. Stubbers’ neighbour to the rear of 15 High Street was the executioner “prime suspect” Richard Gunning. Legend had it that Gunning was given the property as payment for his part in the execution of King Charles I – the ‘Price of Royal Blood’. Unmasking the Executioner Legend has it Gunning was heard to boast in the Taverns of Galway that his arm “had felt the muscles on the neck of the King of England” but it’s more likely that the man behind the mask who wielded the axe was in fact… Stubbers. Research by Galway historian Jackie Uí Chionna directly links Stubbers to the execution of the King. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II introduced the Act of Indemnity that pardoned those who conspired against his father. However, he specifically exempted Stubbers from this ‘pardon’ and this, along with his ‘swift exit and subsequent disappearance’, makes it extremely likely that he had a real case to answer. A case, then, of ‘right legend, wrong man!’ Recent Discovery While conducting research in Oxford University in England in 2011, Jackie Ui Chionna discovered exciting new evidence. A document in the Bodleian Library there appears to confirm Stubbers involvement in the Execution of Charles 1. A letter hand written by King Charles II identifies Stubbers as ‘a Halberdier (an axeman), that assisted at that execrable murder of our Royal Father.’

From Mayors to Executioners the building’s rich history lives on in ‘The Kings Head Pub’… well what else were we going to call it!

Heading to the Galway Food Festival this weekend? Make sure to check out all of the events we're running.
We'll be serving delicious food every day from our iconic chowder van, hosting a talk and tasting with Dave from Andarl Farm, launching our brand new Blood Red Ale with Galway Hooker Beer (not to be missed!), showing you how to cook some fabulous shellfish dishes and hosting a special Galway Food Festival table quiz to round off the weekend. We look forward to seeing you there! #GalwayFood

Karl Spain Comedian was our special guest tonight at heat one of Show Me The Funny! He along with 8 comedic hopefuls performed to a full house, with two of the contestants going through to the final. Come along next week at 8PM where 8 more will battle it out for the grand prize of a gig at the Electric Picnic comedy tent, with Fred Cooke performing as our special guest. €5 euro in with a free pint of Bulmers!

Come and celebrate International Women's Day 2018 with us on Thursday 8th March at 12:30pm over a special 3-course lunch featuring our new spring menu. All proceeds are going to Gorta Self Help Africa. Tickets: €25 per person. To book email bistro@thekingshead.ie #IWD2018 #pressforprogress #thekingsheadgalway

We sent some of our staff to Tullamore Dew distillery today to brush up on their whiskey knowledge! They saw the entire process from grain to bottle and expertly tested all of the Tullamore Dew range of whiskeys. Pop in for a drink at our whiskey bar and test them on what they learnt! The Galway Whiskey Trail

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Winner winner chicken dinner! Connacht Rugby were running around the city today trying to find 3 chickens, hidden in a Galway bar. The chickens were found in The ruby room of The Kings Head by most of the team! Hard luck to the rest of the guys who couldn't find them! And good luck for the rest of the season!

It was great to see so many friendly faces attending our special charity lunch last week in aid of Self Help Africa. A huge thank you to everyone who came along on International Women's Day and showed their support for such a worthy cause! #TheKingsHeadGalway #IWD2018 #PressForProgress

Only 24 hours left till nominations close for the @IrishRestaurantAwards 2018! If you like us please nominate us in the Best Casual Dining Restaurant category at: https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/restaurant-awards-ireland …. Thank you! #kingsheadgalway #FoodOscars

Home for the holidays? Would you like to work & live in Ireland’s friendliest City? We are looking to hire for the following positions:
Assistant Manager
Bar Supervisor
Bar Tender
Relevant experience essential. Email your Resumé to mary@thekingshead.ie

Fantastic buzz in our Bistro at today's #InternationalWomensDay charity lunch all in aid of Gorta Self Help Africa. Thanks to everyone who supported this great event. #IWD2018 #pressforpower #thekingsheadgalway #galway #galwaygirls

Showcase in the Kings Head

Free New Years Eve Party at The Kings Head from 8pm
Live Music from Supertones plus DJ Tommy. Complimentary Cocktail for the first 50 Ladies.
Irish Gins, Whiskey & Prosecco Bar.
No Cover Charge - get there early

‘Simply having a wonderful Christmas time’
Our amazing staff having their traditional Christmas Eve Brunch before the final rush.
We close early today - The kitchen is open until 2pm & the bar until 4pm.

WOW! It's not every day that you get described as "the original super-pub". High praise indeed from Georgina Campbell's ireland-guide.com. Thanks for the kind words! #Galway #TheKingsHeadGalway